Chairman of Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) Lt. Gen. (retd) N.K Singh has expressed surprise at the reaction of the NSCN (I-M) to his letter which stated that carriage of weapons would not be allowed in 51 Noksen A/C from August 28, till the by election result is declared.
In a press release, Singh asserted that restriction on carrying of weapons in the area during election period, was for public good. He said the measure was usually invoked so that people could vote without fear and in a free and fair manner.
Singh said it was “unfortunate” that the NSCN (I-M) had construed it as a violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGR) and “arbitrary” and vowing to never accept it.
Responding to convenor of CFMC/ NSCN (I-M), that “any law of the land was not applicable to the NSCN (I-M)”, Singh maintained that “the laws of the land apply to the 51 Noksen A/C” under which, the bye election is being held.
Further, Singh said constitutional rules and measures involved in elections that were notified were to be followed in letter and in spirit in the area where elections are held.
Therefore, the rules laid down by Election Commission, as per the constitution, were required to be publicly announced, he said.
Singh maintained that the cease fire rules with the NSCN (I-M) stated that army, paramilitary forces and police “will act in an impartial and unbiased manner against any group causing public disturbances or when there is imminent danger to public safety or peace”.
He was responding to the point made by the NSCN (I-M) convenor at the August 27 press meet, wherein it was stated that CFGR with NSCN (K) gave security forces retention of the right to enforce the rules to uphold the laws of the land and prevent disturbance to peace.
N.K Singh further explained that wordings have some differences and similarities that could be interpreted differently.
The chairman CFMG asserted that it was unfair to blame CFGR for arrests of those suspected to be involved in the murder of an MP or those involved in gun running for militant group “involved in anti-India activities”.
Singh also clarified that he had informed the convenor CFMC/ NSCN (I-M) at the July 15, 2013 CFMG meeting to give points in writing in a few days to be taken up on for review of CFGR and despite senior NSCN (I-M) functionary V.S Atem being a member of the Ground Rules Review Committee (GRRC), no such proposals were given till date.
He therefore said it was “unfair” to blame the chairman CFMG for not having done anything in the matter of review of interpretation of CFGR.
Chairman CFMG was responding to the point raised by the NSCN (I-M) convenor at the August 27 press meet wherein the latter had expressed regrets that he (Singh) had failed to forward the demand for review of CFGR as purportedly made by V.S Atem.
Singh however expressed the hope, that “better mutual understanding” would prevail among all involved “especially matters of state”.
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